Crossword Genius

Nikolaos of Greece, say, not Spartan I suspect! (6,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

patron saint

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'nikolaos of greece' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'not spartan i suspect' is the wordplay.
'suspect' indicates an anagram (a suspicious or unusual spelling).
'not'+'spartan'+'i'='notspartani'
'notspartani' is an anagram of 'PATRON SAINT'.

'say' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for patron saint that I've seen before include "Virgin Mary in France possibly" , "National representative" , "Religious guardian" , "Protector in heaven" , "Patrick for Ireland, for example" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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